5 Martha’s Vineyard Golf Courses to Take a Swing At Now
Martha’s Vineyard is one showstopper of an island with a rich history to boot, and nothing reflects that quite like the island’s golf courses. From the remote allure of the Chappaquiddick Links to the pristine ocean views of Farm Neck, each course is its own beautiful patch of club-swingin’ excitement.
5 Martha’s Vineyard Golf Courses
Royal & Ancient Chappaquiddick Links
As its name suggests, the Royal & Ancient Chappaquiddick Links (or RACL for short), is practically royal in every way. The links were established all the way back in 1887, and are often considered a hidden gem on Chappaquiddick Island. To get there, you have to hop aboard the Chappy Ferry, which runs year-round out of Memorial Wharf in Edgartown, and then aboard the greens keeper’s turquoise VW bus for the ride to the links.
The quirky nine-hole course is surrounded by untouched forestry, fitting for the quiet and secluded location. While not generally open to the public, weekly memberships are available, offering unlimited play. We can often arrange tee-times at RACL for guests of Vineyard Square Hotel — just ask!
Edgartown Golf Club
Backdropped by beautiful views of the Vineyard Sound and the Trapps Pond, Edgartown Golf Club is just the spot to put your swing to the test while getting those full-fledged picturesque views. It’s also unique in that the club is open to members and their guests year-round, weather permitting. The club also hosts many benefit tournaments during the summer, and a comprehensive junior golf program so that the kids can take a few shots on the green.
Farm Neck Golf Club
Finally, a golf club with the presidential seal of approval! Nestled up in Oak Bluffs, Farm Neck Golf Club features 18 holes with a reputation for championship-level quality. Follow the greens through intimate woodlands, beautiful open meadows, salt marshes, and fantastic ocean views.
You can satisfy your hunger at the cafe and enroll in lessons if you’re looking to take your first swing. Technophiles, you’ll have a leg up on the competition with a complimentary smartphone app called YamaTrack — it shows your position on the course and yardage to go. You might want to look up while you’re swinging, though!
Mink Meadows Golf Club
Away off in the far north (Tisbury), Mink Meadows is conveniently positioned just beyond Vineyard Haven. The clearings of trees that form Mink Meadows were originally made in 1928 as fire lines to prevent wildfire spread. The owner of the property, Robert Bigelow, realized that the clearings looked like fairways and decided to transform the land into a golf course.
Mink Meadows caters to both both seasoned and novice players with varying degrees of difficulty in their nine holes. They host a wide variety of events and tournaments with a Ladies’ Day each Thursday, and offer pro shop services and lessons for all ages.
Vineyard Golf Club
Vineyard Golf Club may be the newest game in town, but it still has classic design elements that provide fun challenges — take the third hole, which features a devilish sand trap just before the fairway. Just outside of Edgartown, the club was named by GOLF Magazine as the “Best New Private Course” of 2015. The course also draws visitors for being the only organic golf course in the U.S. — no chemical pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers on these greens.
With all of the options to take a swing at, you’ll definitely want to add golf clubs to your packing list for Martha’s Vineyard. The folks at Vineyard Square are more than willing to give you more tips for your trip, so don’t hesitate to ask.
